Friction catch



A. L. FRYER FRICTION CATCH Jan. 2,y 1940.

Filed Jan. 17, 1938 m U www ML w M y gf PatenteaJan. 2, 1949 l l 22,185,503

UNITED STATES PAT ENT ,OFFICE"` Farc'rloN CATCH y Arthur L. Fryer, Laguna Beach, Calif. Application January 17, i938,- serial N0.f185,'395 7 claims. (o1. zaza-7s) l My invention relates to a friction catch of the the detent engaging the resilient tongue of the type frequently designated as cupboard door complementary part ofthe catch.

catches, easement sash catches or the like. These My invention is illustrated in connection with are of the type in which Va relatively light fricthe accompanying drawing, in which: tion is overcome in closingthe door-or sash and Fig. l may be considered as a horizontal sec- 5 a friction is developed in opening such door Aor tion taken on the line I-I of Fig. 2 in the direcsash, therefore retaining these inthe closed po-' tion of the arrows showing the simple form of sition with suiiicientsecurity for most purposes. catch in the closed position.

Among other objections to the ordinary type Fig; 2isan elevation taken in the direction of of friction catches is the 'lack of adjustability the arrow 2 of Fig; l. i a

to take up for any slackness .developing in the Fig. 3 is van end View of the detent assemblyA door or sash assembly occurring from shrinkage, taken in the direction of the arrow'f3 of Fig. l'J sagging of the hinges or the screws attaching the the tongue portion of the catch being removed. y devices becoming slightly loose. Also in a num- Fig. 4 is an end view of the tongue portion 0f berof types of these friction catches the resilient thecatch taken in the direction of the arrow il 15 f element which yields when the door is closed of Fig. 1 vwith the detent portion removed. and opened does not have sufiicient rigidity to Fig. 5 is a section similarpto Fig. l showingthe prevent its being-distorted after` comparatively same type of resilient tongue mounting with a short periodrofusage so that it is practically usemodifiedform of detent,v this using a screw; type 2O less as a catch. My invention seeks toovercome of catch. y 20;

these objections by having the mainv or resilient Fig. `6 is a front, elevation showing the catch i friction element with sufficient rigidity so that 'usedwith a detent mountedjon a shelf or the. it may yield a smallamount during the closing like. f j i v y. and opening of the door or otherdevice butmay Fig. 7 is a section on the line 'I`-`I of Fig.- 6 in have sufiicient rigidity to prevent distortion.` Also the direction of the arrows showing thedetent 25 in my invention 'an angle structure secured to only as mounted on a shelf.' n I the edge and face of a door has aresilient tongue- Fig. 8 is an elevation taken'inthe direction of like elementslit from the main body of the por-l the arrowl 8 of Fig. 9 of another yform. vof the tion of the catch so that'this tongue is sufcientspringy tongue catch assembly.

1y resilient to yield in closing and opening the Fig. `9S a SeCtOrl-On the line 9-3 0f Fig. 8 in 30 door, yet having a sufcient-ly rm mounting on the direction of the arrows. l the door orfengagement with the other portion Dealing rstwith the catch construction illusof the .angle plate lor bracket to develop suftrated in Figs. l'to 5 inclusive, this'employs the cient resistance so that the latching tongue is Spring tongue catch assembly II which is formed ynot permanently distorted rendering the catch of an angle plate I2 having a flange I3 fitted in*y 35 ineicient. l 1` a recess. I4 in the edge of a door or sash indicated Another object and'v feature of my invention is at Iii.'y lThis has rightfangular end pieces I6 tforming a friction detent which engages the ting against the surface I'I of the door or sash; tongue'in such a manner that it maybe adjust- Atongue 'lis spaced from the flange I3 lby the 4o `ably mounted on the fixed cupboard wall orthe two parallel slits I9. These slits also continue 40 frame of awindow where a sash isused so that separating the ends I6 from the flat portion 20 1 by slight adjustments a take vup may be. made of. the tongue. The resilient portion of the to compensate for shrinking of the door,` sagging tongue 2| consists of a section 22 extending outor other disalignment which would cause the wardly fromtheportionv 20 at an angle slightly catch 'to be loose; In one form of my invention less than a right angle. "The'nose portion 23 has 45, theadjustable detent'is made `in the form of quite a' pronounced slope towards theouter or a platefwhich by means of a screwand slot contip portion 24. I There is thus a slight projection l nection may be adjusted to yproject a desired-dis- 25 ybetween the parts 22 and 23. Arear or thrust tance into the opening in which the door orsash section 26 extends to the surface I1 of the door so, swings IThis plate is conned in its movement or sash and the tongue portion terminates in a 50`y by fitting in a slot-like perforation in a retainflattened end 21 through which a screwl 23 is,l ing plate'secured to the edge "ofthe ldoororwin.- threaded and attaches'tlie tongueportion to the dow opening. In another form of my invenside I'Iof the-doororsash. A screw l29 secures tion the retaining plate may have an adjustable j the flange'portion I3 tothe edge ofthedoor or blfscrew of which the head of the screw roperates as sash.; These are `the only two 'elements attach- 55` l immovable and through the'slot Mlin portion 26 to the flat connection with Figs. l, 2 presuming that the tongue part ofthe catch islai' y tongue section including the portion 22 and the fiat portion 2li in alignment with the surface I1 vof the sash or door.

. The detent assembly l0 includes a retaining plate lll which is shown'as substantially rectangular and attached in a recess 42 in the edge :of a frame member 43 of a cupboard, closet or the like. This plate has a rectangular slot 44 whichl is positioned slightly beyond the surface 45 of the wood member 43. An adjustable detent plate i6 is also preferably rectangular and has an elon-y gated slot M throughwhich extends an attaching screw 48. This screw holds the plate in close contact with the surface 45 of the 43. kThe projecting tongue-like end 49 extends through theslot 44 and has -a contact end 5i] with slightly beveled corners 5I. y l

In the operation of this catch the' plate 46 is adjusted so that when the door, sashor other element approaches its closing position in relation to the wood frame member. d3, a contact end Eli engages the sloping nose 23 of the resilient tongue assembly slightly outwardly from the rounder corner 2E. -As the door or sash is thrust to its `'closed position on account of the plate 46. being held fromv bending by passing the plate di, the parts 21], 22 'and' Z3 of the tongue portion yield slightly to allow the plate i6 to ride over the corner 25 and on account of the angle of the sections 29 and 22 ofl the resilient tonguebeing slightly less than a rightangle, there maybe a slight clearance if desired when the door or sash is completely closed so that in openingthe-sash the end 5@V slides 'over the section 22 and thus rides over the corner 25.

Thus' on account of the `slight. resiliency of this necessary to have the cutout corner 3G of the wood of the sash or door.

portion ofthe tong-'ue it is In addition it will be noted that the plate H5. operates as a stop in limiting the movement of the sash or door in its closed position. shouldv the catch become slightly loosened due to shrinkage of the wood construction, the plate 46 loosening the screw desired position and may be adjusted by slightly dt, moving-this plate in a again tightening the screw. It is not necessary to make any changes in the position of the screw 23. Thisand the screw 29v are left permanently in position. thus holding the resilient tongue assembly of the catch attached in a non-adjustable mannery to the door or sash. There is suicient stiffness developed by the connection of the front portion of the tongue through the rear placing portion 27 so that the tongue'after prolonged use does not become distorted out of shape. a y

In Fig. 5 I show the same type of spring tongue assemblydesignated by the and 4.

mounted on a door or sash, the detent assembly` 59 is illustrated as mounted on an end wall 5l` or else` this may be considered as a' shelf. In this construction a flat tional screw catch 54 is threaded opening 55 in the plate and this has a projecting head .'56v with the usual screw driverkerf.v The head of the screw 5d projects, that is, the screw is not threaded tightv against the plate -andfin connection with Figs. l. Y In Figs. 6 and 7 'I show a modicationof the v wood member Manifestly numeral l l shown in y In this case,

plate 52 is attached to the vwood construction 5l by a screw 53. An addithrough an fact, it is preferable to` use a rounded head screw so that the screw engages' withthe spring catch 22 and 23 and the reacting against the portions slight projection 25. Such an arrangement therefore forms a simple lconnection for engaging the spring tongue catch and on account of the' screw being readily adjustable, the pressure against the catch may be readily varied. This in eiect gives a somewhat similar adjustment to that shown in and 2.A v if assembly suitable for the catch operating in conjunction with va detent assembly mounted on a shelf. In this instance a shelf board is designated as 6B'. On this is mounted a detent assembly 6l which consists of a strap t2 pivoted by a screw 63',` the strap having an upturned detent end $4. The strap has an yarcuate slot concentric with the pivot @t and the detent may thus be clamped in adjusted position by a clamping screw 66.- One edge of the detent end 6d engages the tongue of the catch which may be similar'tofthat ofl'ig. I or 8 and 9.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I illustrate a .modified construction of the spring tongue assembly which may be used with any of the above types of detent construction or other detent-lilre devices. ploys an angle plate it having a flange 'il secured. by ay screw l2 .to the edge ofy aisash or'door indi-- cated at i3. This plate has a right. angularbent section 'ill fitting against the face 715 ofthe door or sash.

This em- A rigid projecting nub 'l5 which includes the sideA arms' il and the back or thrust section v18,'

the fiattenedend il?, contacts the surface 715 and`- is secured by a screw 8i?. There are a? pair .of slits 8i which have end portions 32 inthe flange l l. Thesev extend, toqslits 83 'i4 and slits @d inthe front vpor-tion of the projecting nub a free tongue Thistongue has afbasezportiony 85 slightly depressed from the section :ld-of the main portion of the` plate.

The outwardly eX- in the angle'section iii. This construction-thus :develops tending face 'lvis at slightly` less than a rightl angle to the base 8.5. There is a slight projection. Theseparts or surfaces pressed kby l?, 'maand 89' are shaped to, correspond substantially to the lportions 22, 25y

88 and the curved` portion 86?..

and 23 respectively of' the catch construction of Figs. l and 4. In this caseph'owever there. is al cross slit Sts which separates the/tip end 9i of the tongue fromI the from a slight bending at the angle; projection 88. With this construction should the tongue become type, yet whengthe end 9! contacts the edge S2 the tongue has a subT stantially rigid support vand the resiliency results` 5 l main portion of the plate., o

Therefore this-tonguemay `be pressed'backwardly until it contacts the edge 92v at thisslit 9'3.. This therefore gives arigid backing `and support for,-

resiliencyl 1 pressed back too far so Athat the*k end 9i always contacts with theedge '92 or is too closeto this]` y V 265 so as to normally leave`l Y a space between the end-9i andthe edge92'.. `It,

construction of Figsr operation substantially edge, it may-be sprung or similar tool outwardly by using ay screw driver will thus be seenthat ythe and 9 is in its principle of the same as the spring: tongue oo nstructionpil-- lustrated in detaill in Figs. 1,2, 4' and 5.v g

In Fig. 6 -I- sriow a modification of ti.1efatei1- which may be applied either. to that ofxl'ig. 9 or' The illustration however show'- f ujf, f

the type of Fig. l.'

ing this element asa modification 'of the catch.

, in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

of Figs. 8 and 9 in'which a at plate member 95 forms the equivalent of the flange 'H only .straightened out to align with the rear attened end 19. This allows the catch to be applied to a flat surface as it is not necessarythat it be made angular to attach to an edge and a face of a Various changes may v of the construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as'defined by the appended claims.

I claim: v

1. A catch deiined by a plate having an unslit portion with means for attachment to a door, there being a pair of parallel slits extending in a direction laway from the attachment means and defining a tongue between the slits, the tongue having a flat portion to be substantially in alignment with one surface of thev door, a faceportion of the tongue extending outwardly from the at portion at an angle slightly less than a right angle, a nose rening an obtuse angle from the face and receding from the at portion of the tongue,

' there being a projection between the face portion `closing a door.

and the nose and a rigid structure reacting against the nose and the projecting portion of the tongue and resisting deformation of the face and the nose portion when the tongue of the catch passes over a keeper attached to a fixed structure. 1

2. A catch having a plate with a flange .with means for attachment to the edge of the door, the plate having a pair of parallel slits extending from the attachment means and provided with end pieces at right angles to the flange tov engage the face of a dcor,the flange being attachable to a door, there being a tongue with parallel sides between the said slits, saidV tongue having a flat portion substantially in the plane lof the face of the door between the end ofthe tongue extending outwardly from the ilat portion at anangle slightly less than a right angle, a receding nose `forming an obtuse angie with the face 'and defining a projection between the face and the nose portion and a iixed structure reacting against the distorting move-ment of the nose, the projection and the face when these pass over a contact end of the keeper in opening and 3. A catch defined by a single integral plate having a at portion with means for attachment to a flat surface, there being a pair of parallel slits extending from the portion of the plate having the` attachment means and defining a tongue with parallel sides between the slits, the

slits having end pieces extending along the side` of the tongue, the tongue havingy a flat portion substantially in alignment with a surface of the door and having a faceextending outwardly from such surface at an angle lessl than a right anglea receding nose at the louter'end of the tongue forming ari-obtuse angle with the said attach an end portion to a door,

be made in the details `the door.

pieces, a face portion'.

tion by a keeper riding over such portions in opening or closing aldoor.

4. A catch including a plate with means to the platel having a pair of parallel slits and a tongue kbetween the slits, the tongue having a flat portion substantially aligned with the flat surface of a door and having an outwardly extending face at an angle slightly vless than the right angle with the face, a receding nose at an obtuse angle with the face and denning a projection between the face and the nose, the tongue having a reverse bend with a thrust section extending towards the at surface ci a door and an anchoring means securing the thrust portion to such surface whereby the thrust portion of the tongue and the anchoring means resists the distortion oi the nose, the projection and the face when riding overa contact edge of a keeper in opening and closing 5. A catch formed of a plate having a flat end portion with means for attaching to a door, there being a pair of parallel slits extending from the said end portion and having end pieces', a tongue i attached to said end portions only between the yslits and the end pieces,

the said tongue having a flat section and a` face extending outwardly at slightly less than a right angle and a receding nose at an obtuse angle from the face defininga projection between the face and the nose, al reverse bend at the outer end of the nose, a thrust section extending from the reverse bend, a flattened end forming an extension of the thrust section and `means for attaching the said iiattened` end to a door or the like whereby the thrust section resists the distortion of the nose, the projection and the face by a keeper riding over such nose, projection and face in opening or closing a door.

6. A catch having a plate with means for attachment to a door, a resilient tongue integral with the plate and having a reverse bend, there being a nose portion adjacent the reverse bend and a projection on one tonguehaving an extension portion to engage a surface of the door and means to anchor such extension to the surface of the door whereby the distortion of the tongue by a keeper riding over the nose and the projection in opening and closing of the door is resisted by the said anchor.

'7. A catch having a plate with means for attachment of one end to a door, a resilient tongue havingv a flatsurface to align with the flat surface of a door and having a face extending outwardly at a slightly less than a right angle, the tongue having a reverse bend and a thrust section with means to anchor the thrust section to a door, there being a slight projection between the face and the reverse bend, the thrust section and anchor resisting by a keeper riding over the said projection in opening or closing a door.

- i ARTHUR L. FRYER.

face of the tongue, the v the distortion of the tongue x 

